# Edwin G. Krebs

> American biochemist (1918–2009)

**Wikidata**: [Q109731](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109731)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_G._Krebs)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edwin-g-krebs

## Summary
Edwin G. Krebs was an American biochemist renowned for his groundbreaking work on reversible protein phosphorylation, a fundamental process in cellular regulation. His discoveries earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1992, shared with Edmond H. Fischer, and cemented his legacy as a pioneer in biochemistry.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1918 (exact place not specified in source material)
- **Died**: 2009
- **Nationality**: American
- **Education**: Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine and Washington University in St. Louis (specific degrees not detailed)
- **Known for**: Discovering the role of reversible protein phosphorylation in biological regulation
- **Employer(s)**:
  - University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
  - Washington University School of Medicine
  - Washington University in St. Louis
  - University of Washington
- **Field(s)**: Biochemistry, medicine

## Contributions
Edwin G. Krebs, alongside Edmond H. Fischer, discovered the mechanism of reversible protein phosphorylation, demonstrating how enzymes (kinases and phosphatases) regulate cellular processes by adding or removing phosphate groups. This work, published in the 1950s and refined over subsequent decades, revolutionized understanding of signal transduction, metabolism, and gene expression. Their findings laid the foundation for modern molecular biology and drug development, particularly in cancer and metabolic disorders.

## FAQs
**What did Edwin G. Krebs discover?**
Krebs co-discovered reversible protein phosphorylation, a process where proteins are activated or deactivated by the addition or removal of phosphate groups. This mechanism is critical for regulating cellular functions like metabolism, growth, and signaling.

**Where did Edwin G. Krebs work?**
He was affiliated with multiple prestigious institutions, including Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, and the University of Washington.

**What awards did Edwin G. Krebs receive?**
He won numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1992), the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, and the Canada Gairdner International Award.

**What organizations was Edwin G. Krebs part of?**
He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium.

## Why They Matter
Krebs's work on protein phosphorylation transformed biochemistry by revealing how cells dynamically control their functions. This discovery underpins modern research in fields like oncology, diabetes, and neuroscience, enabling targeted therapies (e.g., kinase inhibitors for cancer). Without his contributions, our understanding of cellular regulation—and thus drug design—would lack a critical mechanistic framework.

## Notable For
- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1992)
- Co-discovery of reversible protein phosphorylation
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences
- Recipient of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
- Affiliations with top-tier institutions like Washington University and the University of Washington
- Guggenheim Fellowship awardee

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Edwin G. Krebs was born in 1918 in the United States. While specific details about his early education are not provided, his career trajectory suggests rigorous training in biochemistry and medicine, likely involving advanced degrees from institutions like Washington University in St. Louis.

### Career and Research
Krebs's most significant contribution came from his collaboration with Edmond H. Fischer on reversible protein phosphorylation. Their work demonstrated how enzymes called kinases add phosphate groups to proteins, altering their activity, while phosphatases remove these groups. This "on/off switch" mechanism became a cornerstone of molecular biology, explaining how cells respond to external signals and regulate internal processes.

His academic career spanned multiple institutions:
- **Washington University School of Medicine**: A key period for his foundational research.
- **University of Washington**: Where he continued his work and mentored future scientists.
- **University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign**: Another notable affiliation in his career.

### Awards and Recognition
Krebs's discoveries earned him some of the highest honors in science:
- **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1992)**: Shared with Fischer for their work on phosphorylation.
- **Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research**: A prestigious U.S. award for biomedical breakthroughs.
- **Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize**: Recognizing his contributions to cellular biology.
- **Canada Gairdner International Award**: Further validating his global impact.
- **Guggenheim Fellowship**: Supporting his early research endeavors.

### Memberships and Honors
He was elected to elite scientific societies, including:
- **National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)**
- **American Academy of Arts and Sciences**
- **Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium**

### Legacy
Krebs's work on phosphorylation influenced countless subsequent studies, leading to the development of kinase-targeted drugs (e.g., imatinib for cancer). His research also shaped the fields of signal transduction and metabolic regulation, making him one of the most cited biochemists of the 20th century. His mentorship at institutions like the University of Washington ensured his ideas continued to advance through new generations of scientists.

### Later Life and Death
Krebs remained active in research and academia until his death in 2009, leaving behind a legacy that persists in modern biomedical science. His name is synonymous with the mechanistic understanding of cellular control, a testament to his enduring influence.

## References

1. [Medical alumni and faculty remembered](http://depts.washington.edu/meddev/uwmedmagazine/archives/vol33-no1/also-in-this-issue/passages.php)
2. [Retrospective. Edwin G. Krebs (1918-2009).](http://faculty.washington.edu/scottjdw/pdfs/catterall_sci_2010_p537.pdf)
3. [Edwin G. Krebs, winner of 1992 Nobel Prize for Medicine, dies. 2009](http://seattletimes.com/html/obituaries/2010582782_krebsobit24m.html)
4. [Retrospective: Edwin G. Krebs (1918–2009). American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2010](http://www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday/asbmbtoday_article.aspx?id=5812)
5. [Retrospective. Edwin G. Krebs (1918-2009).](http://www.sciencemag.org/content/327/5965/537.summary)
6. Find a Grave
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8. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/org/290/000161804/)
9. NNDB
10. Guggenheim Fellows database
11. [1989 Winners. Lasker Foundation](http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/1989basic.htm)
12. [The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1992. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1992/summary/)
13. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
14. [Source](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/research/louisa-gross-horwitz-prize/horwitz-prize-awardees/1990-1981-awardees)
15. [Source](https://welch1.org/awards/welch-award-in-chemistry/past-recipients)
16. [Source](https://commencement.miami.edu/about-us/archives/honorary-degree-recipients/index.html)
17. International Standard Name Identifier
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
20. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
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22. Croatian Encyclopedia
23. [Edwin Krebs Dies at 91; Discovered a Crucial Bodily Process. 2009](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/health/25krebs.html)
24. [Life In Legacy - Week ending Saturday, December 26, 2009](http://lifeinlegacy.com/Display.aspx?weekof=2009-12-26)
25. [NNDB](http://www.nndb.com/org/290/000161804/)
26. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/323348/Edwin-Gerhard-Krebs)
27. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
28. The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science